Outdoor Activities

Hiking

There are hundreds of hiking trails in British Columbia, and they are located in spectacular natural settings.

After all, BC has more than 850 parks and protected areas along with year-round resorts. Every type of excursion is available, from short walks on well-marked nature trails to thigh-burning multi-day wilderness backpacking trips.

The best-known trail in British Columbia is the internationally acclaimed West Coast Trail on southern Vancouver Island. Hikers come from all over the world for this challenging 75km/47mi coastal route, known for both its beauty and physically demanding nature.

Soft sandy beaches, rainforests, and the sound of the Pacific Ocean await hikers along the Vancouver Island coast. Tide pools burst with marine life at Botanical Beach along the Juan de Fuca Marine Trail, while the remote broad sandy beaches of Northern BC's Naikoon Provincial Park stretch for approximately 100km/60mi. The Sunshine Coast Trail provides hikers with ocean views and the cool environment of old-growth forest.

Hiking BC's Resorts

Many BC resorts have summer hiking opportunities, which range from family-friendly destinations with ocean-to-alpine views to massive verticals in the Rockies.

Hikes to Mountain Peaks and Alpine Meadows

Alpine colours are typically quite brilliant, with seasonal bright wildflowers, golden larch trees, turquoise lakes or white glaciers. Tackle the elevation using the tried-and-true method of hiking up in a sturdy pair of boots, or look into easier access with the help of heli-hiking operators or ski resort lifts that remain open in summer.

Wildlife Along the Trails

Keep an eye out for pikas, marmots, bears, deer, or a wide variety of birds. Along coastal hiking trails, it's possible to spot the water spray from a migrating whale or an osprey diving for fish.